History of the Revolution in Texas, Particularly of the War of 1835 & '36; Together With the Latest Geographical, Topographical, and Statistical Accounts of the Country, From the Most Authentic Sources. Also, an Appendix.
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which Santa Anna denied that any treaty had been made withFanmin, and proceeded to say that the execution of Fannin andhis men was in obedience to the orders of the Mexican Government." You are that Government, and it has been representedthat a treaty was made with Fannin," said Gen. Houston; and thenremarked, that, any way, even had the massacre at Goliad beenordered by the Government of Mexico, it was of a nature not to bejustified by modern usages of war, and that in disobeying such anorder, he would have shown himself a magnanimous commander,and would have been justified by the world; whereupon SantaAnna remarked that the Mexican Government could not considerAmericans in Texas as in any sense a nation; that they had noteven been fighting under a Revolutionary standard, and could onlybe considered as banditti or land pirates. Upon this the subject ofconversation was waived, and, it being night, the General askedSanta Anna if he would have his camp bed, which, being desired,the General ordered it to be brought into his tent. Santa Annareclined upon it, but did not sleep during the night, being in constantdread of assassination. A majority of the Texans in campwere anxious for his execution; and, had it not been for the firmnessof Gen. Houston, his life would immediately have appeasedthe just vengeance of his enemies.It is the opinion of Gen. Houston that Santa Anna is one of theablest men of the age, and that he sustained himself after his cap.ture as well as any man in like circumstances could. It is the opinionof other Texans that Santa Anna exhibited great address andknowledge of human nature whilst a prisoner, and that, indeed,they never met with a more talented man.Gen. Houston with difficulty preserved the life of Santa Anna,and with still greater difficulty effected his liberation, which he didin the firm conviction that it would result in good to Texas. Hebelieved that to keep Santa Anna a prisoner would only be a uselessexpense, but that, if sent back to Mexico, his presence wouldbe at least a constant check upon the Government in any movementit might make to effect another invasion of Texas, because,besides Bustamente, he was the only sufficiently popular man tocommand a strong party in Mexico, and that Bustamente couldnever, with safety to himself, lead or send an army into Texaswhilst Santa Anna was in Mexico. Santa Anna himself, if reinstatedin power, would not, Gen. Houston believed, lead anotherarmy into Texas, because he was evidently too well convinced ofthe great uncertainty of success to try the experiment again; andhe would not, the General believed furthermore, confer the commandof an army, destined to operate against Texas, upon another,lest his own glory should be yet more eclipsed in a more succssfillrival.* * * * * *The blade of the sword which Santa Anna wore in the battle of17'

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Newell, Chester.History of the Revolution in Texas, Particularly of the War of 1835 & '36; Together With the Latest Geographical, Topographical, and Statistical Accounts of the Country, From the Most Authentic Sources. Also, an Appendix.,
book,
1838;
New York.
(texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth6109/m1/209/ocr/:
accessed February 22, 2019),
University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, texashistory.unt.edu;
.